New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-03
THE NAVAL BILL IN THE SENATE
PASSED AFTER AN ALL-DAY DEBATE.

SIX STEEL CRUISERS PROVIDED FoH-oipE" MA
TERIAL AMENDMENTS.
vsu,xcroy March 2.-The Senate today pro-
ceeded to the consideration o the Naval appropriation
hill The first material amendment reported by the
Committee on Appropriations was the insertion OF an
item of $4,000 for repairs of the Naval training
station. Coasters Harbor Island, near Newport.
Agreed to.
The next material amendment was the insertion, in
the item Tor the Bureau OF Steam Engineering p a
proyiso that part of the apr orraton shall be ap-
piled to the repair of engines and machinery IN wooden
ships where the estimated cost OF repair shall exceed
twenty per cent OF the cost OF new engines and ma
chinery OF the same character and power Agreed to-
Under the head OF Increase of the Navy the COM
mitee recommended striking out the House provision
for two swift double bOttomed steel cruisers and for
four gunboats all to cost exclusive OF armament not
more than 81. 900; and the Substitution OF 'wo
new sections providing for six protected steel crus
ers with speed of not less than twenty knots to cost
exclusive Of armament, not more than S9ooUovO
and appropratng that amount also sPPrS1Rn1iasne
appropriating $6,00O000 tor heavily armored YES
sells or floating batteries rams for coast aDd nar
Dor detenees also appropratng coo ,o 0on s.
dranpht gunboats also apprOpratiDg 6OO,OOO LOT
torpedo boats and 100000 Tor torpedoes; ana
81 800, 600 for armament OF these vessels.
recurring one of the six steel be built the
Pacific Coset and two OF them on the s'uii Soas.'
This only ira nmeng the Secretary OF the Navy
Mr. Hale Iw no had charge of the bill stated that
when the tsncruiser bill up some weeks ago,
similar provision had been adopted, alter 1'ii dscus
sion. IL r.
Mr. Morgan argued to the necessity of the Gov
eminent having more construction yards on inc
ulf Coast TO which vessels might go tor neees-
sary repairs lie believed that Tor 100000 con-
struction ward could he established on the Alabama
River or the Mississippi, or at Pensacola "a good as
John Roachs yard at Chester. a shipbnlder would
find there iron. coal and timber. He referred to the
fact that the Pocahontas was now beng but IN
Alexandra, Va, and would be a1oat next November,
= t..r tnfr
been built He believed that that vessel was going to
be one of the grandes in the present. OF any
other Of shiphnildlng.
clause read that II 1t shall appear TO tue iIesiueht
that vessels cannot be constructed at tar cost on the
Pacific or Suit coasts he may consider and accept
bids for building said vessels at other places In
stead of suspendng their construction until the
further action of Congress.)
suggesting that Its purpose was to have the money
expended in Delaware.
Sir. Gray denied that he was actuated by any such
In the debate which follow ed Mr. Blair spoke of the
fact that tue chief burden which mankind had TO
bear was the result OF the tendency to war. Ii the
millennium was not absolute myth the American
Nation mig to the world for the first time In his
tory the example OF effort to settle controversies
between nations without resort TO tho destructive art
OF butchery 1t was therefore, with great reluctance
that he voted for bills calling for enormous expendi-
lures purely IN contemplation OF future conflicts
Mr.. Hale-I am very DESTROYS OF listening 10 the
remarks which the Senator says he hos prepared Tor
another occasion but will not the Senator give way
and let tho Senate pass this bill 10 get 1t through
and have il sent the PRESIDENT OF course the Sen
ator can go with his remarks. do not attempt to
take HIM from the floor unless With his own good Will
and consent. ~
Mr. Blar-Cnd these circumstances think you
will not press your request. 49,
Mr. lale-l am at the inc.cy OF the Senator In THIS
matter.
Mr. Blar-I think the Senator is. I will offer re-
marks which may be worth while for him 10 consider.
and which may be worth while for the President to
consider.
Mr. Hale-I wish the Senator would wait. and let me
hear his remarks after the adjournment ON the 1th OF
March.
Mr. Blar-I have indicated nv purpose and hope
there will re further interruptions
Mr.. Blair then proceeded TO read speech on labor,
industry and education. closing with the expression OF
the hope that what ne had said would have a good
effect on the Senator IRON Maine.
The question then taken on Mr. Grays amend
ment as modified and it was rejected.
Mr. Plumb moved TO strike out the item OF
SO 600 900 for heavily armored vessels or batteries
or rams tor coast defences He argued that it was not
possible TO make armored vessels II at would keep up
in power OF resistance with the increase IN the
projectors He spoke OF the New,iotk Chamber
OF Commerce being brought into tins
as a tender to private speculation. The
evidence of that was found in the tact that
there had been sent each Senator pamphlet issued
by the Chamber OF Commerce calling vigorously on
Congress to provide Tor defence, but the snm
aud So distance OF which was demand that that should
be done by means of castron guns. The only vitality
which that body had such as was communicated
to By some persons who desired to speculate on It's
responsibility. =,
The afternoon was consumed in discussion and the
Senate took q recess The consideration OF the bill
was resumed at halt past Shc question being on Mr.;
Pumbs amendment. The amendment was rejected
without division.
The amendment recommended by the committee was
then adopted without division.
The next material amendment reported b, the Com
mittee Appropriations and agreed To by the Senate
appropriatng SIP, 900 Tor the purchase OF
Ercsson's Destroyer.
Mr. Aldrich offered an amendment appropriating
S25 900 for the purchase Of the Sctto to be used
torpedo boat for experimental purposes Agreed 10
The bill with other mmaterial amendments was then
passed the Senate.